Everton boss Roberto Martinez has been forced to accept that it may be necessary to attempt some form of defence in order to prevent other teams scoring.
Martinez’s men have staunchly refused to engage in any form of defence, relying instead on opponents either taking pity on them or being unnerved by the ease with which they arrive through on goal.
That strategy has been surprisingly effective at times, with Manchester United passing up several scoring opportunities when John Stones played dead and Seamus Coleman silencing Southampton by making a plaintive high-pitched whine for the entire 90 minutes.
However, a 4-0 derby drubbing against Liverpool has led Martinez to concede that his side may have to take active measures to prevent opposition teams scoring against them.
“I’ve always said that attack is the best form of defence,” Martinez told FFT.
“But sadly it would appear that defence may be the best form of defence, followed by maybe midfield, and then, after that, attack. I suppose that makes a lot of sense when you think about it.”
Halfway there
However, despite the obvious need for a change in tactics, Martinez’s first defensive session was poorly received by the players, with Stones clucking and rolling his eyes so theatrically that the manager scrapped the drill prematurely.
“My motto has always been that if they score four, we’ll score five,” Martinez told FFT.
“We were halfway to delivering that promise against Liverpool, so there’s no reason to panic.”
Despite their recent troubles Everton remain in the hunt for the FA Cup and could make history as the first team to win the competition without making a tackle en route to the final.
